A fatal train crash in Gary left one woman and her two daughters dead.

The crash happened around 7:30 Tuesday morning at the railroad crossing at Miller Avenue and Howard Street. Witnesses tell Gary Police that the woman tried to drive her Chevy sedan around railroad stop arms that were down, which are supposed to prevent traffic from going across the tracks.

That’s when the train struck the woman’s car, ejecting all three out of the car. Police say all three will killed instantly.

Gary Police Commander Jack Hamady says the crash did not have to happen.

“Going around the train tracks when the gates are down, it’s avoidable,” Commander Hamady explains, “it’s unfortunate for this family, but, you know, it’s a shame that three people are deceased now.”

The victims were identified as 11-year-old Deniya Brown, 13-year-old Deyki Mitchell, and 37-year-old Shermika Herbert.

Gary Mayor Jerome Prince released a statement: We all are saddened when we lose any of our friends and neighbors, but it’s especially painful when we lose multiple members of a family, including young ones. We lost several members of a family in a train-car collision this morning. At this point, details are limited as different law enforcement agencies and the CSX railroad continue investigating this incident. Whatever the outcomes of these investigations, I implore every resident and visitor to be extra cautious when using every railroad crossing and please respect crossing gates and safety devices throughout our city.